PARIS — Peugeot mentioned it’ll provide a full-electric model of the 308 compact hatchback by 2023, a beforehand unannounced powertrain configuration that would compete with the Volkswagen ID3.
The brand new-generation Astra from sister model Opel/Vauxhall may also have a full-electric model, in line with information reviews.
The brand new 308 was launched earlier this month, with gross sales set to start out within the second half, however solely with inside combustion and plug-in hybrid choices.
A Peugeot spokesman confirmed Wednesday {that a} full-electric model has been authorized for manufacturing in 2023, however mentioned it was “too early” to supply any extra particulars, together with what platform it could be constructed on.
The technical particulars of a full-electric 308 aren’t but clear, though there are two choices inside father or mother firm Stellantis. The group’s latest compact EV, the Citroen C4, is constructed on the CMP structure for small and compact automobiles, which might accommodate gasoline, diesel or full-electric drivetrains. However the 308 is constructed on the EMP2 platform, which is for compact and midsize fashions and is designed for plug-in hybrid electrification, not full electrical.
A extra seemingly alternative is the approaching e-VMP structure, a battery-electric adaptation of EMP2 that can first seem on the following technology of Peugeot 3008 compact SUVs, slated for launch by 2023.
Stellantis is within the means of vertically integrating its electrified drivetrains, with a collaboration with Nidec on electrical motors, with Punch Powertrain on transmissions and with Whole/Saft on battery cell factories.
The 3008 is scheduled to be constructed at Stellantis’ manufacturing unit in Sochaux, jap France. The 308 will probably be constructed on the group’s close by Mulhouse manufacturing unit.
The brand new Astra is scheduled to be launched later this yr, with production set for Opel’s house manufacturing unit in Ruesselsheim, Germany, the place will probably be constructed alongside the DS 4 compact car additionally based mostly on PSA’s EMP2 platform.
Reuters reported on Wednesday {that a} full-electric Astra would seem this yr, with out offering any extra particulars.
The Astra could have a plug-in hybrid variant, Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller told German motoring magazine auto-motor-sport in an interview.
An Opel spokesman advised Automotive Information Europe that whereas the brand new Astra could have a hybrid choice, a full-electric choice wouldn’t be supplied this yr. The spokesman mentioned Opel wouldn’t remark additional on future product plans for aggressive causes.
Vauxhall-branded Astras have been in-built Ellesmere Port, England, however Brexit has left the manufacturing unit’s future function doubtful. Opel mentioned in 2019 that the following Astra could be in-built two European factories. The corporate has not but disclosed the Astra’s second manufacturing location along with Ruesselsheim.
The information concerning the full-electric 308 was first reported in French information media. In a video segment recorded by the fanatic journal Auto-Moto and broadcast final week, Agnes Tesson-Faget, the product government for the brand new 308, mentioned a full-electric 308 was within the works.
One other French media outlet, L’Argus, said Monday that Peugeot model CEO Linda Jackson had confirmed in an interview that an electrical 308 was coming in 2023.
The compact section, the third-largest in Europe in 2020, is beginning to see extra full-electric choices. The Nissan Leaf had lengthy been the one EV accessible, however the ID3, launched final autumn, has recorded 6,858 gross sales by way of February, in line with information from JATO Dynamics, about one-third of the segment-leading VW Golf. Nissan has bought 3,514 Leafs by way of February.
Along with the full-electric Citroen C4, the Renault Megane-e is slated to look in 2022, and the Cupra Born, a higher-performance model of the ID3 from the Seat efficiency subbrand on the identical VW Group MEB platform, will go into manufacturing towards the top of this yr.
Potential, though unannounced, autos might embody a Skoda model of the ID3; and a Ford automobile on the VW MEB platform underneath a know-how sharing settlement.